Farmajo under pressure to apologise for "using" NISA to quell protests

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The federal government of Somalia has been accused of using agents linked to the National Intelligence Security Agency [NISA], the Somali National Army [SNA], and the police to quell peaceful demonstrations over delayed elections and lack of commitment to have consensus on the upcoming elections.

Somalia was scheduled to hold elections from December this year but the plan seems to be far from being a reality after both parties refused to strike a compromise, despite the pressure from members of the international community and various independent stakeholders in the country.

But it's using security agents to disperse protestors which have irked the union of presidential candidates who now want President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble to issue an apology following Saturday's incident where some youths were confronted by security agents who used live bullets.

In a tough-worded letter, the union which comprises 14 candidates asked the two to offer an apology over "heinous acts committed against peaceful protestors in Mogadishu by NISA agent". The union further asked the international community to chip in and "save Somalis from dictatorship and lawlessness".

The statement was further backed by the union's leader Sharif Sheikh Ahmed who asked the government to bring to book one of the soldiers who was captured on footage shooting at the innocent protestors. He said: "It's a terrible act & We strongly condemn it."

President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is yet to issue a statement with regard to the accusations and counter-accusations which have dominated the country's electoral process. Farmajo is seeking re-election in February next year and would face a united opposition in the coming months.

The two teams are yet to agree on the composition of the electoral committee team which the opposition claims that it was infiltrated by NISA agents and civil servants who are loyal to Farmajo. The government has persistently dismissed the claims, arguing the opponents have sensed defeat.

GAROWE ONLINE